Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later) 3.56 1078

Anchor Our Special Ale (2005 and later)

	Percentile
	91
	overall

Brewed by Anchor Brewing Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
San Francisco, California USA

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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Ratings	Average	Score	Seasonal	ABV	Style Pctl	Serve in
1078	3.56/5.0	3.56/5.0	Winter	5.5%	94.9	Lager glass, Tumbler

Commercial Description:
This is our special ale from the brewers at Anchor. It is sold only from early November to mid-January. The Ale’s recipe is different every year, but the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life. Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons appears born anew. <br /><br /> Editor’s Note: due to the significant similarity in style and strength from year to year (despite potential differences in the exact spice blend), this beer is no longer separated by vintage.

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HOPSHUNTER (376), Tampa, Florida, USA

3.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.3	6/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	12/20

Mar 8, 2009

Bottle 2007. Poured a dark reddish brown. Aroma is quite spicy. Flavor is pretty thin and lightly spiced.and somewhat bitter. A bit watery with a solid bitter acidic finish. I expected better.

andrewp1286 (2), new brunswick, New Jersey, USA
does not count

1.1	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
1.1	4/10	3/5	1/10	1/5	2/20

Mar 7, 2009

This beer has been rated everything from exceptional to adequate, so it might be that one beer I find putrid that many find exceptionally gratifying, however I tried this beer and after the first one my stomach felt queasy with the overwhelming spice, simply overdone

War4soccer (115), , Nevada, USA

3.5	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.5	7/10	3/5	7/10	4/5	14/20

Mar 7, 2009

Always a nice anchor beer for its time of year..spice,malt.. some smoke in the beer..

milljam (584), Norman, Oklahoma, USA

2.9	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
2.9	6/10	3/5	5/10	3/5	12/20

Mar 1, 2009

Aroma is predominately malt, with some hops. Flavor has some hints of spice, but it is mainly malt. Another typical winter beer with little spice. Not much else to say.

wcampbell (582), Central, South Carolina, USA

3.2	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.2	7/10	4/5	6/10	4/5	11/20

Feb 28, 2009

2007 edition. Interesting flavor, spicy and malty with some vanilla. Sweet fruity flavor too. A lot going on in this beer. Something strange in the flavor to me, maybe some smokiness, that didn’t mix well with the other flavors. Needed something to balance. Not the most drinkable beer.

Block (379), West Lafayette, Indiana, USA

3.9	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.9	8/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	16/20

Feb 27, 2009

Dark pour with a tan head. Interesting aroma of pines, spices, and dark fruits. Smells kind of like potpourri. Flavor of roasted malts, caramel, pine, spices, and some earthy flavors. Really nice.

BillWyce (95), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4	8/10	5/5	8/10	3/5	16/20

Feb 22, 2009

2008 bottling. A recipe that changes annually, with the only hint from the brewery that it doesn’t contain cloves. Poured chocolatey brown with thick tan head. Aromas of citrus and spice with a slight pine-y note. Slightly oily on the tongue. Flavor of spice (nutmeg?) with a citrus undertone. Slight alcohol bite at the finish. A favorite I look forward to every holiday season.

daknole (2975), Plantation, Florida, USA

3.9	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.9	8/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	16/20

Feb 22, 2009

Pours a nice dark color with some dark red at the edges and a very small head. I will be damned if this beer doesnt smell and taste a lot like fruit cake. Aroma has a ton of dates, raisins, figs, and baking spices. Flavor is much the same. Dates stand out, with prunes, raisins, fig preserves, sweet malt and a hop finish to balance well. Good shit!

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